33. Ryan
CHAPTER 33
Ryan
A ugust is in full swing, and with it, everyone’s air conditioners are in need of repairs. The heat wave that hit us last week knocked out what feels like every single household in the area. I took an HVAC course a few years back to expand my services, but I’m regretting it now that I’m staying in one place. Most of the local HVAC companies are booked out, so I’ve been doing what I can to patch up our client’s ACs until they can get out to replace them or do more long-term repairs.
I mop my brow with the cooling towel slung around my neck and chug the last of my water. I was able to patch this apartment unit’s AC, but it’ll need a full replacement in the next few weeks or so. I stand from where I was kneeling by the hulking unit and gather my tools into my bag. I start in the direction of the apartment’s management office to tell them as much and squint against the high noon sun.
As I cross the lawn towards the office, I hear, “Hey, asshole!” I keep walking, assuming they aren’t talking to me and not wanting to get involved in some neighbor squabble. “Hey, you, Summer’s new bitch!”
At that, I spin around and narrow my eyes. I see a stumbling Duncan who looks like he’s off a fresh bender with his sweat-stained t-shirt and basketball shorts. His flip flops smack the back of his heels as he speeds towards me when he sees me notice him. I take a deep breath of the searing August air.
It’s way too hot for this shit.
“Hey, Duncan. Why don’t you go back home and sober up?” I hold my hand out so he stops an arm's length away.
“Fuck you, man,” he slurs. My lips flatten into a line and I turn to keep walking. I just want to get this job over with so I can go home and take a cool shower. “Hey, I wasn’t done talking,” he says, grabbing my shoulder from behind and turning me halfway to him.
“Don’t touch me,” I bite out, swiping his clammy palm off my shoulder.
He raises his hands, apparently knowing enough in his drunken haze to see that he wouldn’t win in a fight against me. “What’re you doin’ here?” he asks.
I hold up my toolbag and jiggle it, making the tools inside shift and clank. “I was finishing a job. I’m heading out,” I say curtly.
“No, wait. Just listen to me. Now that I have you here without her nearby…” At that, I roll my eyes. It’s about Summer, of course. What is this guy’s problem? “You gotta get out while you can. She’ll either baby trap you or dump you when she gets bored.”
“Why do you always act like an angry ex?” I ask, raising an eyebrow and inching away from him.
“Shuddup about things you know nothin’ about,” he warns, grubby finger pointed at me.
“Listen, I get it. She’s an amazing woman and you’re upset you lost your chance with her however many years ago, but you have to let that shit go. Sober up. Be happy. Life is too damn short to waste it being miserable,” I say, clapping him a little harder than necessary on the shoulder .
His expression goes dark and ugly, lip pulling up in a sneer, “Yeah. Miserable. What do you know about that, pretty boy?” He spits at my feet and stumbles away, back to whichever drunken hole he escaped from. I honestly feel a little bad for him. I shake my head and make my way to the blissfully cool office.
Once I’m in my truck with the doors locked, I shoot off a text to Summer.
I just saw Duncan and it didn’t go well.
Summer:
OMG are you okay???
Yeah. I’m fine. He was just spouting off more bullshit and drunk off his ass.
If he wasn’t such a dick, I’d be more worried about him. Seems like he’s drunk more often than not these days. Every time someone mentions him, he’s always wasted.
Yeah.
Ugh. I don’t want to, but I’m going to reach out to Jared and see if he’s aware of how bad it's gotten. Maybe he can get him to an AA meeting.
You’re a good person.
Yeah, yeah. Just doing my civic duty and all that.
I toss my phone on my passenger side and head for home, more than a little excited at the prospect of a cool shower and an even colder glass of water. I don’t usually work Saturdays anymore, but I feel bad letting people cook in this heat. Plus, the overtime pay is a nice perk.
My mood lightens at the thought of the FaceTime call I have planned for tonight with Summer when Emma is in bed. I feel my cheeks heat as our last late-night FaceTime replays in my mind and shake the thought off so I can focus on my drive.